The Uttar Pradesh government will introduce halwa and upma as supplementary food items for students in state-run schools from November 2026. The programme will run for 14 weeks until February 2027, with the dishes served once a week alongside the regular midday meal.
According to a report by The Economic Times, Additional Chief Secretary for Basic Education Parth Sarthi Sen Sharma has issued directions for implementing the programme across government schools in the state. The initiative aims to support child nutrition and encourage student participation in schools.
Under the prescribed schedule, halwa will be served on the first and third Fridays of each month, while upma will be provided on the second and fourth Fridays. If a Friday falls on a holiday, schools will distribute the supplementary food on the next working day.
The additional food will be served during the school mid-break and will not replace the existing midday meal. Each serving must contain at least 30 grams of semolina, along with the other ingredients specified for the respective preparation.
Preparation guidelines
Schools have been instructed to ensure the quality of ingredients used in preparing the dishes. The guidelines recommend using packaged ingredients certified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), wherever possible.
The directions also require schools to ensure the proper storage of ingredients and prepared food. These measures are intended to maintain food quality and hygiene during preparation and distribution.
Schools to maintain records for monitoring
The government has also outlined monitoring requirements for the programme. Schools will have to maintain records of beneficiaries and food stocks, along with photographs documenting the distribution process.
These records are expected to help officials monitor the implementation of the programme and verify whether schools are following the prescribed guidelines.
The supplementary nutrition programme will cover the period from November 2026 to February 2027. Participating schools will be required to follow the designated menu and distribution schedule, maintain the quality of ingredients and comply with the documentation requirements.
The additional servings will be provided alongside the regular midday meal throughout the programme period.